Apparatus and method for inspecting golf balls using spectral analysis

Abstract

A method for inspecting golf balls is disclosed. An imager such as a camera captures a spectral image of the golf ball. The spectral image is captured line-by-line as the golf ball rotates. The lines are then packed together to form a three-dimensional spectral image of the golf ball showing full spectral information for every pixel. The resultant three-dimensional spectral image is then analyzed, such as using a pattern matching or threshold analysis tool. If a golf ball passes the inspection, it is permitted to advance in the processing. If the golf ball does not pass the inspection, it may be diverted. This inspection system is capable of detecting very subtle color differences, so the system is particularly applicable for use in inspecting primer coat coverage.

1. A method for inspecting a golf ball having a cover material coated with a primer coat in an automated manufacturing system comprising the steps of:
 (i) aligning the golf ball, the golf ball having a cover material coated with a primer coat and an outer paint layer, the outer paint layer overlying the primer coat, wherein the primer coat and outer paint layer have unique colors, with a spectral imager; 
 (ii) obtaining a spectral image of at least a portion of the golf ball which has been coated with the primer coat and outer paint layer; 
 (iii) analyzing the spectral image to determine whether or not the primer coat has been applied uniformly over the cover material; and 
 (iv) acting on the golf ball. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral imager comprises an area-scanning camera attached to a spectrograph and further comprising the steps of
 (v) capturing a single line of the golf ball as the spectral image; 
 (vi) rotating the golf ball; 
 (vii) sequentially capturing additional lines of the golf ball; and 
 (viii) packing the captured lines to form at least a partial three-dimensional spectral image of the golf ball. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical axis of the three-dimensional object represents the spectrum. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball is analyzed using a pattern matching technique. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball is analyzed using threshold analysis. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (iv) comprises diverting the golf ball, sending the golf ball to a corrective processing station, or allowing the golf ball to advance to a new processing station. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the primer coat is white and the cover material is any color other than white. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cover material is treated to have any color other than white. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral image is in color. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral image is in grayscale. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cover material is a urethane layer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein small areas of insufficient coverage of primer coat are detected. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral imager includes a fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic bundle comprises at least one imaging fiber connected to a sensor. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the imaging fiber extends to the golf ball, and wherein a free end of the imaging fiber is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic bundle comprises at least one illuminating fiber connected to light source. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the illuminating fiber extends to the golf ball, and wherein a free end of the illuminating fiber is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the golf ball.